The Adam Smith Institute's Omega Project was conceived to fill a significant gap in the field of public policy research. Administrations entering office in democratic societies are often aware of the problem which they face, but lack a well-developed range of policy options. The process by which policy innovations are brought forward are examined is often wasteful of time, and unconducive to creative thought.

The Omega Project was designed to create and develop new policy initiatives, to research and analyze these new ideas, and to bring them forward for public discussion in ways which overcame the conventional shortcomings.